From Walsall to London: Leather Designer’s Runway Revolution

Lauren Broxton is a talented leather designer from Walsall, a town in the West Midlands known for its rich history in leather production. For the past three years, Lauren has run her own company, creating custom leather goods and training new leather workers. She is passionate about sharing Walsall’s story and making sure people know how important leather is to her hometown. Recently, Lauren had the exciting opportunity to showcase her work at London Fashion Week, one of the biggest fashion events in the world. She described the experience as a whirlwind, saying it was amazing to be part of such a global event. Lauren was proud to represent Walsall and highlight its historical significance in the leather industry. She noticed that many people at the event didn’t know about Walsall’s reputation for leather, so she made sure to talk about it and share her knowledge. Lauren is also a guest lecturer at Birmingham City University, where she helps teach students about leatherwork. At London Fashion Week, she joined other Birmingham designers in a collective organized by the university. Lauren displayed some of her archived collections and new pieces that are available for sale. She enjoyed meeting influential people in the fashion industry and promoting her work alongside other talented designers.

In addition to her work in fashion, Lauren is involved in a campaign to save the Walsall Leather Museum. The museum, located in a red brick building on Littleton Street West, is dedicated to preserving the town’s leather-making heritage. Last year, the local council announced plans to move the museum to a different building in the town center, but Lauren and other campaigners are fighting to keep it in its current location. They believe the museum is an important part of Walsall’s identity and should remain where it is. Lauren has fond memories of visiting the museum as a child, attending summer schools and exploring leatherwork. She says those experiences inspired her to become a leather designer, and she wants future generations to have the same opportunities.

Lauren’s dedication to her craft and her community is clear. She believes that understanding where you come from is important, and she credits Walsall’s leather industry for shaping her career. By teaching others and sharing her story, Lauren hopes to keep Walsall’s leather tradition alive. The campaign to save the museum has brought together many people who care about the town’s history, with protestors holding signs and banners outside the building. Lauren’s journey from a young girl visiting the museum to a designer at London Fashion Week shows how passion and hard work can make a difference. She continues to inspire others by promoting Walsall’s leather heritage and fighting to preserve its legacy.